Method for providing service and rate negotiation in a mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for negotiating service configuration in a digital communication system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the service negotiation system is implemented in a wireless spread spectrum communication system. The service configuration comprises data rates, frame formats and types of services. Types of service may include speech encoding, facsimile or digital data services. Further described herein is a digital transmitter and receiver using the service negotiation system to provide service configuration mutually acceptable at both ends of a communication link.

[0001] This is a continuation application of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/739,482 which is a continuation application ofprior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/260,192, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 5,638,412 on Jun. 10, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] I. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to communication systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a novel and improvedmethod for providing rate and service negotiation in a wirelesscommunication system.

[0004] II. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The use of code division multiple access (CDMA) modulationtechniques is one of several techniques for facilitating communicationsin which a large number of system users are present. Other multipleaccess communication system techniques, such as time division multipleaccess (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and AMmodulation schemes such as amplitude companded single sideband (ACSSB)are known in the art. However the spread spectrum modulation techniqueof CDMA has significant advantages over these modulation techniques formultiple access communication systems. The use of CDMA techniques in amultiple access communication system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,901,307, issued Feb. 13, 1990, entitled “SPREAD SPECTRUM MULTIPLEACCESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL REPEATERS”,assigned to the assignee of the present invention, of which thedisclosure thereof is incorporated by reference herein.

[0006] A method for transmission of speech in digital communicationsystems that offers particular advantages in increasing capacity whilemaintaining high quality of perceived speech is by the use of variablerate speech encoding. The method and apparatus of a particularly usefulvariable rate speech encoder is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.5,414,796, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, of whichthe disclosure thereof is incorporated by reference herein.

[0007] A variable rate speech encoder provides speech data at full ratewhen the talker is actively speaking, thus using the full capacity ofthe transmission frames. When a variable rate speech coder is providingspeech data at a less that maximum rate, there is excess capacity in thetransmission frames. A method for transmitting additional data intransmission frames of a fixed predetermined size, wherein the source ofthe data for the data frames is providing the data at a variable rate isdescribed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,773, assigned to the assigneeof the present invention, of which the disclosure thereof isincorporated by reference herein. In the above mentioned patent a methodand apparatus is disclosed for combining data of differing types fromdifferent sources in a data frame for transmission.

[0008] As digital communication systems become more prevalent,applications of the systems are growing. As the applications availablegrow, there is an increasing probability of differing capabilitiesbetween devices on each end of a communication link. Such differingcapabilities can be in the form of encoding or decoding frame structureformats, or in service types provided or in data rates supported. As theprobability of differing capabilities grows there is an increasing needfor service negotiation between devices attempting to communicate in awireless communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a novel and improved method forperforming rate and service negotiation in a digital communicationsystem. In the exemplary environment of a wireless communication system,service negotiation is described between a mobile station and a basestation. In the exemplary embodiment, the mobile station and basestation communicate data in frames. The data communicated may be primaryor speech data, secondary or digital data, or signaling data.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus for service negotiation in a wireless communication system.One possible case when service negotiation might be used includesdetermining initial type of service when a traffic channel connection isfirst originated. Another case when service negotiation might be used isin modifying the existing service type while maintaining the trafficchannel connection. A third case when service negotiation may be used isdropping the existing service and adding a new service while maintainingthe traffic channel connection (e.g., changing from transmitting speechto transmitting modem or facsimile data). A fourth case when servicenegotiation might be used is in adding a new service while maintainingthe traffic channel connection. For example if one is transmittingspeech data and then wishes to transmit modem data in parallel. A fifthcase where service negotiation may be used is in modifying existingservice due to changes in the link such as range between the mobilestation and base station (e.g. decreasing transmission rates as rangeincreases and increasing transmission rates as range decreases) orduring handoff between base stations where different speech coders ordifferent rate sets may be used.

[0011] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus for performing the service negotiation process withminimum data transfer over common channels, i.e. paging channels oraccess channels, and if the service configuration is not accomplishedover the common channels to continue service negotiation over trafficchannels of additional capacity.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, no information about the trafficchannel connection would be specified in the origination message withall negotiation taking place over the traffic channel. All that isspecified on the access channel is the desire to make the trafficchannel connection and service negotiation would be deferred to thetraffic channel communications. This type of service negotiation isparticularly useful in mobile to satellite communications, but isapplicable to all communication systems.

[0013] It is further an advantage of the present invention to provide amethod and apparatus for changing the service configuration betweencommunicating devices without dropping the traffic channel connectioncurrently in place. Such cases where changing the service configurationwithout dropping the traffic channel connection is desirable includeproviding an additional service or completion of a service in a multipleservice traffic channel connection and a change in rate compatibility ordesirability due to a change in communication environment or logistics.In the present invention, in a wireless communication system in which afirst communication device originates a communication service with asecond communication device, a method for negotiating serviceconfiguration is disclosed, comprising the steps of generating a requestmessage indicative of a service configuration at the first communicationdevice, transmitting the request message, receiving the transmittedmessage at the second communication device, determining if the serviceconfiguration request is acceptable to the second communication devicein accordance with the current capabilities of the second communicationdevice, generating a response message in accordance with thedetermination, and transmitting the response message.

[0014] Also, in the present invention an apparatus for transmittinginformation is disclosed comprising a service negotiator for providing amessage indicative of a requested service configuration, and atransmitter for transmitting the service request message. Furtherdisclosed in the present invention is a system for receiving informationcomprising a receiver for receiving a transmitted message indicative ofa requested service configuration, and a service negotiator fordetermining in accordance with a predetermined set of parameters aresponse message to the request message.

[0015] In addition, a method is disclosed for changing serviceconfiguration of a traffic channel connection without terminating thetraffic channel connection. In an exemplary embodiment of a wirelesscommunication system in which a first communication device iscommunicating with a second communication device and wherein the firstcommunication device requests a change of service configuration withoutterminating the current traffic channel connection, a method fornegotiating a change in service configuration, comprises the steps ofgenerating a request message indicative of a request to change serviceconfiguration at the first communication device, transmitting therequest message concurrently with transmitting data in the currentservice configuration, receiving the transmitted message at the secondcommunication message at the second communication device, determining ifthe service configuration request is acceptable to the secondcommunication device in accordance with the current capabilities of thesecond communication device, generating a response message in accordancewith the determination, and transmitting the response message.

[0016] Though the present invention is illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment in a wireless communication system, it is equally applicableto any communication system where communication resources may benegotiated. It is envisioned that present invention is equallyapplicable to wireline communication systems where physical layercapabilities may be negotiated, and in fixed satellite communicationsystems. In addition the present invention applies equally to cases ofone way communication from the base station to the mobile station onlyor from the mobile station to the base station only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The features, objects, and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the detailed description set forth belowwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencecharacters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a wireless communication system;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the wireless communication system ofthe present invention;

[0020]FIGS. 3a-3 g is an illustration of an exemplary set mixed dataframes; and

[0021]FIG. 4 is a state diagram illustrating the method of serviceconfiguration negotiation while a call is in progress for the mobilestation.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating the method of serviceconfiguration negotiation while a call is in progress for the basestation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/739,482 filed Oct. 28, 1996,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/260,192, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,412on Jun. 10, 1997, are considered to be part of the disclosure of thepresent invention and are herein incorporated by reference.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, the present invention is presentedin a mobile wireless environment. It is envisioned that the presentinvention is equally applicable to wireless stationary environments suchas wireless local loop applications. Referring to FIG. 1, informationmay be provided to and from a public switching telephone network (PSTN)to system controller and switch 2, or may be provided to and fromcontroller and switch 2 by another base station if the traffic channelconnection is a mobile station to mobile station communication. Systemcontroller and switch 2, in turn, provides data to and receives datafrom base station 4. Base station 4 transmits data to and receives datafrom mobile station 6. In the exemplary embodiment the signalstransmitted between base station 4 and mobile station 6 are spreadspectrum communication signals, the generation of the waveforms of whichare described in detail in the abovementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307.

[0025] In the exemplary embodiment, there are three separate channelsover which information is communicated between base station 4 and mobilestation 6. The traffic channel is for one or two way communication ofinformation between mobile station 4 and base station 6 and is uniquelyallocated for communications to and from mobile station 6. Informationtraffic, in the exemplary embodiment, includes primary traffic,secondary traffic and signaling traffic. Primary and secondary trafficcommunicate digital information data such as speech, modem or facsimiledata, and signaling data communicates information to initiate andmaintain a link in the communication system such as power control orservice negotiation information.

[0026] The remaining channels are the paging channel and the accesschannel. These channels are common to all mobile stations communicatingwith a base station or set of base stations. Because of the commonalityof the these channels, capacity is a significant issue and messagestransmitted over them must be restricted to a minimum. The pagingchannel is for one way communication of messages between base station 4and the mobile station 6. The access channel is for one waycommunication of messages between mobile station 6 and the base station4.

[0027] When using the traffic channel, mobile station 4 and base station6 communicate through the exchange of forward and reverse trafficchannel frames. Forward traffic channel frames refer to those frames ofinformation transmitted from base station 4 to mobile station 6.Conversely, reverse traffic channel frames refer to those frames ofinformation transmitted from mobile station 6 to base station 4. Mobilestation 6 and base station 4 use a common set of attributes for buildingand interpreting traffic channel frames. This set of attributes,referred to as a service configuration, consists of the following:

[0028] 1. Forward and Reverse Multiplex Options: These control the wayin which the information bits of the Forward and Reverse Traffic Channelframes, respectively, are divided into various types of traffic, such assignaling traffic, primary traffic and secondary traffic. Associatedwith each multiplex option is a rate set which specifies the framestructures and transmission rates supported by the multiplex option. Themultiplex option used for the Forward Traffic Channel can be the same asthat used for the Reverse Traffic Channel, or it can be different.

[0029] 2. Forward and Reverse Traffic Channel Transmission Rates: Theseare the transmission rates actually used for the Forward and ReverseTraffic Channels respectively. The transmission rates for the ForwardTraffic Channel can include all of the transmission rates supported bythe rate set associated with the Forward Traffic Channel multiplexoption, or a subset of the supported rates. Similarly, the transmissionrates used for the Reverse Traffic Channel can include all ratessupported by the rate set associated with the Reverse Traffic Channelmultiplex option, or a subset of the supported rates. The transmissionrates used for the Forward Traffic Channel can be the same as those usedfor the Reverse Traffic Channel, or they can be different.

[0030] 3. Service Option Connections: These are the services in use onthe Traffic Channel. It is possible that there is no service optionconnection, in which case the mobile station and base station use theForward and Reverse Traffic Channels to send only signaling traffic; orthere can be one or multiple service option connections.

[0031] Associated with each service option connection are a serviceoption, a Forward Traffic Channel traffic type, a Reverse TrafficChannel traffic type and a service option connection reference. Theassociated service option formally defines the way in which traffic bitsare processed by the mobile station and base station. For example aservice option may specify the speech encoding or decoding format to beused or the data service protocol to be employed. The associated Forwardand Reverse Traffic Channel traffic types specify the types of trafficused to support the service option. A service option can require the useof a particular type of traffic, such as primary or secondary, or it canaccept more than one traffic type. Likewise, a service option can beone-way, in which case it can be supported on the Forward TrafficChannel only, the Reverse Traffic Channel only, or on either the Forwardor Reverse Traffic Channel; or the service option can be two-way, inwhich case it can be supported on the Forward and Reverse TrafficChannels simultaneously. The associated service option connectionreference provides a means for uniquely identifying the service optionconnection. The reference serves to resolve ambiguity when there aremultiple service option connections in use.

[0032] Mobile station 6 can propose an initial service configuration attraffic channel connection origination, and can propose new serviceconfigurations during Traffic Channel operation. A proposed serviceconfiguration can differ greatly from its predecessor or can be verysimilar. For example, mobile station 6 can propose a serviceconfiguration in which all of the service option connections aredifferent from those of the existing configuration; or mobile station 6can propose a service configuration in which the existing service optionconnections are maintained with only minor changes, such as a differentset of transmission rates or a different mapping of service optionconnections to Forward and Reverse Traffic Channel traffic types.

[0033] If mobile station 6 proposes a service configuration that isacceptable to base station 4, they both begin using the new serviceconfiguration. If mobile station 6 proposes a service configuration thatis not acceptable to base station 4, base station 4 can reject theproposed service configuration or propose an alternative serviceconfiguration. If base station 4 proposes an alternative serviceconfiguration, mobile station 6 can accept or reject the serviceconfiguration proposed by base station 4, or propose yet another serviceconfiguration. This process, called service negotiation, ends whenmobile station 6 and base station 4 find a mutually acceptable serviceconfiguration, or when either mobile station 6 or base station 4 rejectsa service configuration proposed by the other.

[0034] It is also possible for base station 4 to propose an initialservice configuration when paging mobile station 6 or propose newservice configurations during Traffic Channel operation. The servicenegotiation proceeds as described above, but with the roles reversed.

[0035] The following messages are used to support service configurationand negotiation:

[0036] 1. Service Request Message: Mobile station 6 can use this messageto propose a service configuration, or to accept or reject a serviceconfiguration proposed in a Service Response Message. Base station 4 canuse this message to propose a service configuration, or to reject aservice configuration proposed in a Service Response Message.

[0037] 2. Service Response Message: Mobile station 6 can use thismessage to accept or reject a service configuration proposed in aService Request Message, or to propose an alternative serviceconfiguration. Base station 4 can use this message to reject a serviceconfiguration proposed in a Service Request Message, or to propose analternative service configuration.

[0038] 3. Service Connect Message: Base station 4 can use this messageto accept a service configuration proposed in a Service Request Messageor Service Response Message, and instruct mobile station 6 to beginusing the service configuration.

[0039] 4. Service Connect Completion Message: Mobile station 6 can usethis message to acknowledge the transition to a new serviceconfiguration.

[0040] 5. Service Option Control Message: Mobile station 6 and basestation 4 can use this message to invoke service option specificfunctions.

[0041] 6. Origination Message: Mobile station 6 can use this message topropose an initial service configuration.

[0042] 7. Channel Assignment Message: Base station 4 can use thismessage to accept or reject the initial service configuration proposedby mobile station 6 in an Origination Message or a Page ResponseMessage.

[0043] 8. Page Message: Base station 4 can use this message to proposean initial service configuration.

[0044] 9. Page Response Message: Mobile station 6 can use this messageto accept or reject the initial service configuration proposed by basestation 4 in a Page Message, or to propose an alternative initialservice configuration.

[0045] 10. Status Request Message Base station 4 and mobile station 6can use this message to request service capability information from themobile station.

[0046] 11. Status Response Message: Mobile station 6 and base station 4can use this message to return the service capability informationrequested by base station 4 in a Status Request Message.

[0047] During origination of a mobile station terminated traffic channelconnection, base station 4 sends out a page message over the pagingchannel, which identifies mobile station 6 and requests a serviceconfiguration. Mobile station 6 then provides a page response messageover the access channel which acknowledges the page, and either acceptsthe requested service configuration or suggests another serviceconfiguration. Base station 4 receives the page response message andthen responds with a channel assignment message.

[0048] If mobile station 6 has accepted the service configurationrequested in the page message or if the alternative serviceconfiguration requested by mobile station 6 in the page response messageis acceptable to base station 4, base station 4 transmits a channelassignment message accepting or acknowledging the agreed upon serviceconfiguration and providing traffic channel information directing mobilestation 6 to a traffic channel over which communications may beconducted using the accepted service configuration. If the alternativeservice configuration requested by mobile station 6 in the page responsemessage is not acceptable to base station 4, then base station 4transmits a signal containing a channel assignment message rejecting therequested alternative service configuration and providing trafficchannel information directing mobile station 6 to a traffic channel overwhich communications may be conducted using a default serviceconfiguration which is a universal default service configurationacceptable to all mobile stations and base stations for communicatingsignaling data. The service negotiation proceeds over the trafficchannel using the universal default service configuration. There alsomay exist more than one universal default service configuration in whichcase the base station selects one from a set of universal defaultservice configurations appropriate to the conditions and specifies theselection in the channel assignment message. The service negotiationproceeds over the traffic channel using the universal default serviceconfiguration.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, during service negotiation over thetraffic channel messages are transmitted containing four fields ofservice negotiation information. The first field specifies the serviceoption, and in the exemplary embodiment is sixteen bits long. The secondand third specify the forward and reverse multiplex options respectivelyand each are sixteen bits long. The fourth field specifies the rates. Asstated earlier, each multiplex option has an associated rate set. Therate field of the exemplary embodiment has a single bit for eachassociated rate of the reverse multiplex option and a single bit foreach associated rate of the forward multiplex option. These bits areindicative of a whether or not to accommodate each of the rates withinthe associated set of rates. For example, say that associated with amultiplex option are four rates, a highest and three lesser rates. Ifthe device is not able to accommodate the highest rate but is able toaccommodate the lesser rates, then it would set the bit associated withthe highest rate to indicate that the highest rate is not acceptable andset three other bits to indicate that they are acceptable. It should benoted that the selection of a rate subset within the set of associatedrates is not limited to precluding the highest rates but that any ratesubset may be selected during rate negotiation. For example the devicemay specify that the highest rate is acceptable, but that one of thelesser rates is not acceptable.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment each request message specifies asequence number to be included in the corresponding response message.This sequence number serves to associate a response message with thecorrect request message. One example in which this is useful is in thecase where the mobile station transmits a request message, but the basestation is occupied and cannot immediately respond. If the mobilestation transmits a second request before it receives a response fromthe base station to the first request, it is important upon receiving aresponse message to know to which request the response message isresponsive.

[0051] At the initiation of a mobile station originated traffic channelconnection, mobile station 6 sends out a signal consisting of anorigination message specifying a service configuration request andregistration information over the access channel to base station 4. Basestation 4 responds by transmitting a signal consisting of a channelassignment message and traffic channel information. The channelassignment message contains a response accepting or rejecting theservice requested in the origination message.

[0052] If base station 4 accepts the service configuration requested inthe origination message, then base station 4 provides a messageaccepting the requested service configuration. If the serviceconfiguration requested by the mobile station 6 in the originationresponse message is not acceptable to base station 4, then base station4 transmits a channel assignment message providing traffic channelinformation directing mobile station 6 to a traffic channel over whichcommunications are conducted using the universal default serviceconfiguration. Service negotiation continues over the traffic channelusing the universal default service configuration until a serviceconfiguration is agreed upon or until either base station 4 or mobilestation 6 terminates the process by rejecting a service configurationproposed by the other.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, at any point prior to or duringservice negotiation base station 4 or mobile station 6 may transmit astatus request message, requesting information about the capabilities ofmobile station 6 or base station 4 respectively. In response to thetransmitted status request message the receiving device, either basestation 4 or mobile station 6, would transmit a status response messageindicating its capabilities. The service negotiator of the requestingdevice would then in accordance with the received status responsemessage determine a service configuration which would be best for theapplication. Also, the base station may transmit its capabilities on thepaging channel so that the mobile station does not need to requestinformation regarding the capabilities of the base station. In addition,the base station may store the capabilities of the mobile station in adatabase, thus avoiding the need to request capability information fromthe mobile station. The mobile station may inform the base station whenchanges in its capabilities occurs so that the base station can updateits database.

[0054]FIG. 2 illustrates the base station and mobile station apparatusof the present invention. At the initiation of a mobile stationterminated traffic channel connection, service negotiator 20 provides aservice configuration request or may request to defer servicenegotiation to be conducted over the traffic channel. In the exemplaryembodiment, service negotiator 20 provides a sixteen bit messagespecifying the service configuration request. This allows the servicenegotiator to specify 2¹⁶-1 different possible configurations reservingone configuration message to defer service negotiations to be conductedover the traffic channel.

[0055] Multiplexer 22 combines the page message with mobile stationaddress information and provides the combined signal to encoder 24.Encoder 24 encodes the combined signal and provides the encoded signalto transmitter 26. Transmitter 26 upconverts, modulates and amplifiesthe encoded signal and provides the signal to antenna 28 fortransmission over the paging channel. In the exemplary embodiment themodulation format is a spread spectrum modulation format, which isdescribed in detail in U.S. patent Ser. No. 4,901,307. Although spreadspectrum modulation is described in the aforementioned patent at aspreading rate of 1.25 MHz, the present invention is equally applicableto spreading rates of 2.5 MHz, 5.0 MHz and any other spreading rates.The present invention is equally applicable to any known modulationformat.

[0056] The transmitted signal is received at mobile station 30 byantenna 32. The received signal is provided by antenna 32 throughduplexer 48 to receiver 34. Receiver 34 downconverts and demodulates thereceived signal and provides the signal to decoder 36. Decoder 36decodes the received signal and provides the decoded signal todemultiplexer 38. Demultiplexer 38 separates the page message from themobile station address data and provides the page request message toservice negotiator 40.

[0057] Service negotiator 40 determines in accordance with the currentmobile station capabilities a page response message which indicateswhether to accept or reject the requested service configuration of thepage message or whether to suggest an alternative service configurationand if so which alternative service configuration to suggest. Servicenegotiator 40 provides the page response message to multiplexer 48.Multiplexer 48 combines the page response message with additionalinformation which may include registration parameters from, e.g., avocoder 42, modem 44, and facsimile apparatus 46, and other mobilestation parameters. The combined signal is provided to encoder 50.Encoder 50 encodes the combined data and provides the encoded signal totransmitter 52. Transmitter 52 upconverts, modulates and amplifies theencoded signal and provides it through duplexer 54 to antenna 32 fortransmission over the access channel.

[0058] The signal transmitted from mobile station 30 is received at basestation 10 by antenna 12. The received signal is provided by antenna 12to receiver 14 where the signal is downconverted, demodulated andprovided to decoder 16. Decoder 16 decodes the signal and provides thedecoded signal to demultiplexer 18. Demultiplexer 18 separates thedecoded signal into the page response message and other data transmittedby mobile station 30.

[0059] The page response message is provided to service negotiator 40.If the page response message indicates acceptance of the serviceconfiguration requested by the page message or if the alternativeservice configuration of the page response message is acceptable to basestation 10, then service negotiator 20 provides a channel assignmentmessage accepting or acknowledging the agreed upon service configurationto multiplexer 48. Furthermore service negotiator 22 provides a signalindicative of the agreed upon service configuration to encoder 24 anddecoder 20 which encode and decode future data including future messageson the traffic channel in accordance with the agreed upon serviceconfiguration. If the requested alternative service configuration of thepage response message is not acceptable then service negotiator 20provides a channel assignment message specifying the universal defaultservice configuration to multiplexer 22.

[0060] Multiplexer 22 combines the channel assignment message withtraffic channel information and provides the combined signal to encoder24. Encoder 24 encodes the combined message and provides the encodedmessage to transmitter 26, which in turn upconverts, modulates andamplifies the signal, then provides it to antenna 28 for transmissionover the paging channel.

[0061] The transmitted signal received at antenna 32 is provided throughduplexer 54 to receiver 34 where it is downconverted, demodulated andprovided to decoder 36. Decoder 36 decodes the signal and provides it todemultiplexer 38. Demultiplexer 38 separates the traffic channelinformation from the channel assignment message. Demultiplexer 38provides the traffic channel information to receiver 34 and transmitter52 and provides the service negotiation information to servicenegotiator 40. If a service configuration is not agreed upon thenservice negotiator 40 provides a signal indicative of the universaldefault service configuration to encoder 50 and decoder 36, and servicenegotiation continues over the traffic channel until a serviceconfiguration is agreed upon or the traffic channel connection isdropped.

[0062] In the case of traffic channel connection initiation in a mobilestation originated traffic channel connection, service negotiator 40 inmobile station 30 provides an origination message indicative of aservice configuration requested by mobile station 30 to multiplexer 48.Multiplexer 48 may combine the origination message with otherinformation, such as registration information, numbering planinformation and dialed digit information and provides the combinedsignal to encoder 50. Encoder 50 encodes the combined signal andprovides the encoded signal to transmitter 52. Transmitter 52upconverts, modulates and amplifies the encoded signal, and provides itthrough duplexer 54 to antenna 32 for transmission over the accesschannel.

[0063] Base station 10 receives the transmitted signal at antenna 12.The received signal is provided by antenna 12 to receiver 14 where thesignal is downconverted, demodulated and provided to decoder 16. Decoder16 decodes the signal and provides the decoded signal to demultiplexer18. Demultiplexer 18 separates the origination information fromregistration information and numbering plan information and provides theorigination message to service negotiator 20. Service negotiator 20determines whether the service configuration requested in theorigination message is acceptable.

[0064] Service negotiator 20 provides a channel assignment messageaccepting the requested service configuration or specifying that theuniversal default service configuration is to be used. The serviceconfiguration channel assignment message is combined in multiplexer 22with traffic channel information and the combined signal is provided toencoder 24. Encoder 24 encodes the combined signal and provides theencoded signal to transmitter 26. Transmitter 26 upconverts, modulatesand amplifies the encoded signal and provides it to antenna 28 fortransmission over the paging channel.

[0065] Mobile station 30 receives the transmitted signal at antenna 32.The received signal is provided through duplexer 54 to receiver 34 whichdownconverts and demodulates the signal and provides the signal todecoder 36. Decoder 36 decodes the signal and provides the decodedsignal to demultiplexer 38. Demultiplexer 38 separates the channelassignment message from the traffic channel information. Demultiplexer38 provides the traffic channel information to receiver 34 andtransmitter 52 with which the transmitter and receiver set up fortransmission and reception of information over the traffic channel.Demultiplexer 38 provides the channel assignment message to servicenegotiator 40. If the channel assignment message indicates base station10 has accepted the requested service configuration, then servicenegotiator 40 provides the information regarding the accepted serviceconfiguration to decoder 36 and encoder 38. If the service configurationchannel assignment message indicates base station 10 has rejected therequested service configuration, then service negotiator 40 provides theinformation regarding the universal default service configuration todecoder 36 and encoder 38 and service configuration negotiationcontinues over the traffic channel. Negotiation continues until amutually acceptable service configuration is found or the trafficchannel connection is dropped.

[0066] An exemplary set of frame formats as specified in the forward andreverse multiplex options of the service configuration is illustrated inFIGS. 3a-g. The method and apparatus for providing multiplexed frames ofdata is described in detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/171,146. FIG. 3a illustrates an exemplary generic frame format.The frame of FIG. 3a consists of three fields: a frame format field, atraffic field and an overhead field. The frame format field tells thereceiving device which frame format of the set of frame formats allowedby the current multiplex option is applicable to decoding the currentframe of information. The traffic field contains the data that is beingtransmitted. In the exemplary embodiment, there are three types oftraffic. Traffic, in the exemplary embodiment, includes primary traffic,secondary traffic and signaling traffic. Primary and secondary trafficcommunicate digital information data such as speech, modem or facsimiledata, and signaling data communicates information to initiate andmaintain a link in the communication system such power controlinformation or service negotiation information. Overhead data is datatransmitted to increase the quality of the frames being transmitted suchas error correction bits or decoder tail bits.

[0067]FIG. 3b illustrates a frame with only primary or speech trafficbeing transmitted. FIG. 3c illustrates a frame in which both speech andsignaling traffic are being transmitted simultaneously, and FIG. 3dillustrates a frame in which primary traffic and secondary traffic arebeing transmitted simultaneously. FIGS. 3e and 3 f illustrate frames inwhich only signaling traffic or secondary are being transmitted. In FIG.3g, primary secondary and signaling traffic are all being transmittedsimultaneously.

[0068] In an exemplary service configuration, a variable rate vocoder,such as that describe in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/004,484, is used to provide the primary traffic. When the primarytraffic is provided at less than a predetermined maximum data rate, thenthere exists excess capacity in the transmitted frames. This excesscapacity can be used to accommodate the simultaneous transmission ofsecondary or signaling traffic. In the exemplary embodiment, secondaryor signaling traffic is buffered until a frame of less than thepredetermined maximum rate for primary traffic is provided by thevariable rate vocoder, at which time a portion of the buffered secondaryor signaling traffic is provided in the excess capacity of the frame. Ina preferred, yet exemplary embodiment, when the transmitting device isaware of secondary or signaling traffic for transmission it signals thevocoder and the vocoder forces a set of frames to a lower than maximumrate in which the secondary or signaling traffic can be provided.

[0069] Referring again to FIG. 2, primary traffic is provided by vocoder42, while secondary traffic is provided by modem 44 or facsimile 46.Signaling traffic is provided by a microprocessor (not shown) via theexternal signaling line to multiplexer 48 and also by service negotiator40. Multiplexer 48 combines the various data forms into the frameformats in accordance with the selected multiplex option.

[0070] One important feature of the present invention is the capabilityof performing the service negotiation without interrupting the currentlyselected service in progress. An example of a case when this may bedesirable occurs when a user is communicating by means of a selectedservice configuration, and decides that it is necessary or desirable toperform an additional operation in parallel or in place of thepreviously selected service configuration. A specific example is if auser is transmitting speech data only, but during the course of theconversation wishes to transmit facsimile or modem data in parallel. Theuser informs the service negotiator of the desire to transmit secondarydata and the service negotiator then prepares the configuration toaccommodate the additional function.

[0071] Another example may occur when a user is transmitting at a datarate or set of data rates, but because of logistics or other factors theenergy required of the mobile station to support the data rate becomesunacceptably high. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile station mayreceive information from the base station indicative of the quality ofreceived traffic frames. If the quality level becomes too low then itmay be necessary for the mobile station to transmit at lower rate or setof rates. By reducing the data rate the mobile station could if desiredkeep its transmission power the same while increasing its energy perbit. Any method of detecting a need to modify the data rate is equallyapplicable to the present invention. Some of the methods for determiningthat the data rates should be reduced include:

[0072] (a) mobile station detection of high frame error rate on forwardlink;

[0073] (b) base station detection of high frame error rate on reverselink;

[0074] (c) mobile station detects its power is at a maximum for thereverse link;

[0075] (d) base station detects its power is at a maximum for theforward link;

[0076] (e) mobile station detects that received power is low on forwardlink;

[0077] (f) base station detects that received power is low on reverselink;

[0078] (g) base station to mobile station range is large; and

[0079] (h) mobile station location is poor.

[0080] Conversely, some of the methods for determining that the datarates should be increased include:

[0081] (a) mobile station detection of low frame error rate on forwardlink;

[0082] (b) base station detection of low frame error rate on reverselink;

[0083] (c) mobile station detects its power is lower than a thresholdfor the reverse link;

[0084] (d) base station detects its power is lower than a threshold forthe forward link;

[0085] (e) mobile station detects that received power is high on forwardlink;

[0086] (f) base station detects that received power is high on reverselink;

[0087] (g) base station to mobile station range is low; and

[0088] (h) mobile station location is good.

[0089]FIG. 4 illustrates a state diagram for the mobile station of thepresent invention. The following are the definition of the states orsubfunction of the mobile station of the present invention:

[0090] 1. Normal Service Subfunction—While this subfunction is active,the mobile station processes service configuration requests from theuser and from the base station.

[0091] 2. Waiting for Service Request Message Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the mobile station waits to receive a ServiceRequest Message.

[0092] 3. Waiting for Service Response Message Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the mobile station waits to receive a ServiceResponse Message.

[0093] 4. Waiting for Service Connect Message Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the mobile station waits to receive a ServiceConnect Message.

[0094] 5. Waiting for Service Action Time Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the mobile station waits for the action timeassociated with a new service configuration and then sends a ServiceConnect Completion Message.

[0095] At any given time during traffic channel operation, only one ofthe service subfunctions is active and the mobile station performs theprocessing associated with that subfunction. For example, when themobile station first begins communication on the traffic channel, thenormal service subfunction is active. Each of the other subfunctions canbecome active in response to various events which occur during trafficchannel operation. In addition it is envisioned as in the case oftraffic channel connection initiation that at any point in the servicenegotiation status request and response messages may be exchanged andservice negotiation conducted in accordance with the exchangedcapability information.

[0096] The mobile station transmits service request messages and serviceresponse messages that accept or reject a requested serviceconfiguration or suggest an alternative service configuration. The basestation transmits request and response messages that reject or suggestan alternative service configuration. If the base station accepts arequested service configuration, it transmits a connect message, whichindicates the acceptance of the requested service configuration andspecifies an action time at which the agreed upon service configurationchange will occur.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 4, the service negotiation procedure for themobile station is illustrated. In the normal service subfunction block70, the mobile station may receive a request message from the basestation or may receive a request from the user for a new serviceconfiguration. If the mobile station receives a request for a newservice configuration from the user, the mobile station sends a servicerequest message indicative of the desired new service configuration tothe base station and enters the waiting for service response messagesubfunction block 72.

[0098] When the mobile station receives a service request message, itmay as previously stated accept or reject the requested service or itmay suggest an alternative service. If the mobile station accepts therequested service configuration, it sends a response message acceptingthe requested configuration and enters the waiting for connect messagesubfunction block 78. If the mobile station rejects the requestedservice configuration, then the service negotiation is terminated andthe mobile station enters the normal service subfunction block 70.Lastly, if the mobile station suggests an alternative serviceconfiguration it sends a service response message proposing thealternative configuration and enters the waiting for service requestsubfunction block 76.

[0099] If the mobile station is in waiting for service request messagesubfunction block 76, it may receive a service request message proposinga service configuration or rejecting or it may receive a connect messagefrom the base station. If the mobile station receives a request messagerejecting the proposed service configuration, then service negotiationis terminated and the mobile station enters normal service subfunctionblock 70. Also, if the mobile station receives a service request messageproposing a service configuration, the mobile station may reject theproposed service configuration, terminating service negotiation andentering normal service subfunction block 70.

[0100] In addition, if the mobile station is in waiting for servicerequest message subfunction block 76, and receives a message proposing aservice configuration the mobile station may send a service responsemessage proposing an alternative service configuration and in this casethe mobile station will remain in waiting for service request messagesubfunction block 76. If the mobile station is in waiting for servicerequest message subfunction block 76, and receives a service requestmessage requesting an acceptable configuration, then the mobile stationtransmits a service response message accepting the proposed serviceconfiguration. If the mobile station receives a service connect messageindicating that the service configuration requested by the mobilestation is acceptable to the base station, then the mobile stationenters the waiting for service action time subfunction 74. The connectmessage specifies the service action time when both mobile station andbase station change over to the new agreed upon service configuration.

[0101] If the mobile station is in the waiting for service responsemessage subfunction block 72, it may receive a service response messagerejecting or proposing an alternative service configuration or it mayreceive a connect message. If it receives a connect message it entersthe waiting for service action time subfunction block 74 and waits untilthe action time to change to the new agreed upon service configuration.If it receives a service response message rejecting a proposed serviceconfiguration, then it returns to normal service subfunction block 70.Also if it receives a response message proposing an unacceptable serviceconfiguration, it may reject the proposed service configuration, inwhich case it sends a service request message rejecting the proposedservice configuration and returns to normal service subfunction block70. If it receives a service response message proposing an alternativeservice configuration, the mobile station may also transmit a servicerequest message proposing another alternative service configuration andremain in the waiting for service response message subfunction block 72.Lastly, the mobile station may receive a service response messageproposing an acceptable service configuration, in which case the mobilestation will send a service request message accepting the proposedservice configuration and enter waiting for service connect messagesubfunction block 78.

[0102] If the mobile station is in waiting for service connect messagesubfunction block 78, then a service configuration agreement has beenreached and all that remains is to receive information upon when thechange in service configuration should be conducted. Upon receiving theservice connect message the mobile station enters the waiting for theservice action time subfunction 74. In waiting for service action timesubfunction block 74, the mobile station waits for the time to change tothe new service configuration. At the action time the mobile station andthe base station simultaneously change over to the new serviceconfiguration. After the action time the mobile station transmits aservice connect completion message to the base station and re-enters thenormal service subfunction block 70 where communication is conductedunder the new configuration.

[0103]FIG. 5 illustrates a state diagram for the base station of thepresent invention. The following are the definition of the states orsubfunction of the base station of the present invention:

[0104] 1. Normal Service Subfunction—While this subfunction is active,the base station processes service configuration requests from thepersonal station and sends service configuration requests to thepersonal station.

[0105] 2. Waiting for Service Request Message Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the base station waits to receive a ServiceRequest Message.

[0106] 3. Waiting for Service Response Message Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the base station waits to receive a ServiceResponse Message.

[0107] 4. Waiting for Service Action Time Subfunction—While thissubfunction is active, the base station waits for the action timeassociated with a new service configuration.

[0108] 5. Waiting for Service Connect Completion Message—While thissubfunction is active, the base station waits to receive a ServiceConnect Completion Message.

[0109] At any given time during traffic channel operation, only one ofthe service subfunctions is active and the base station performs theprocessing associated with that subfunction. For example, when the basestation first enters upon communication on the traffic channel, thenormal service subfunction is active. Each of the other subfunctions canbecome active in response to various events which occur during trafficchannel operation.

[0110] In normal service subfunction block 100, the base station iscommunicating with the mobile station. The base station may receive aservice request message or may need to request a new serviceconfiguration. If the base station needs to request a new serviceconfiguration, it transmits a service request message proposing a newconfiguration and enters the waiting for service response messagesubfunction block 102. If it receives a service request messageproposing an acceptable configuration, it transmits a service connectmessage indicative of acceptance of the proposed service configurationand including an action time message indicative of the time at which thechange to the new service configuration will be made and enters thewaiting for service action time subfunction block 104. If the basestation receives a service request message proposing an unacceptableservice configuration, it may send a service response message rejectingthe proposed service configuration and remain in the normal servicesubfunction 100 or the base station may send a service response messageproposing an alternative service configuration and enter waiting forservice request message subfunction block 108.

[0111] If the base station is in waiting for service request messagesubfunction block 108, it may receive a service request messageindicating acceptance of a proposed service configuration or proposingan acceptable alternative service configuration, in which case the basestation sends a service connect message including a service action timeand enters the waiting for service action time subfunction block 104. Ifthe base station receives a service request message proposing a serviceconfiguration, it may also send a service response message proposing analternative service configuration. If the base station receives aservice request message rejecting the proposed service configuration,then service negotiation is terminated and the base station entersnormal service subfunction 100. Also if the base station receives aservice request message proposing an unacceptable configuration, it maysend a service response message rejecting the proposed configuration,terminating service negotiation and enter normal service subfunctionblock 100.

[0112] If the base station is in waiting for response messagesubfunction block 102, it may receive a service response messageaccepting or rejecting a proposed service configuration or proposing analternative service configuration. If it receives a service responsemessage rejecting a proposed service configuration then servicenegotiation is terminated and it returns to normal service subfunctionblock 100. If the base station receives a service response messageproposing an unacceptable configuration it may send a service requestmessage rejecting the proposed service configuration terminating servicenegotiation and return to normal service subfunction block 100 or it maysend a service request message proposing an alternative configurationand remain in waiting for service response message subfunction block102. If the base station receives a service response message accepting aproposed service configuration or proposing an acceptable alternativeservice configuration then it sends a service connect message includingan action time and enters the waiting for service action timesubfunction block 104.

[0113] If the base station is in waiting for service action time block104 it waits until the action time arrives and then uses the new serviceconfiguration and enters the waiting for service connect completionmessage subfunction 106. Upon receiving service connect completionmessage 106 the base station enters normal service subfunction block100.

[0114] The previous description of the preferred embodiments is providedto enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. The various modifications to these embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use ofthe inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

We claim:
 1. A method of negotiating a service configuration in acommunication system in which a first communication device originates acommunication service with a second communication device, saidcommunication system having at least one dedicated channel which is notshared by communication devices in said communication system, the methodcomprising the steps of: transmitting, from said first communicationdevice, an information data signal over said dedicated channel;receiving, at said second communication device, said transmittedinformation data signal; generating, in said first communication device,a request message indicative of a proposed service configuration;multiplexing, in said first communication device, said request messagewith said information data signal to produce a multiplexed signalallowing both the request message and the information data to beconcurrently transmitted; transmitting said multiplexed signal over saiddedicated channel; receiving said multiplexed signal at said secondcommunication device; determining, in said second communication device,whether said proposed service configuration is acceptable to said secondcommunication device; generating, in said second communication device, aresponse message in accordance with said determination; and transmittingsaid response message over said dedicated channel.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said response message is indicative of acceptance ofsaid proposed service configuration, rejection of said proposed serviceconfiguration, or suggestion of an alternative service configuration. 3.The method of claim 2 , wherein said service configuration provides aforward link multiplex option.
 4. The method of claim 2 , wherein saidservice configuration provides a reverse link multiplex option.
 5. Themethod of claim 2 , wherein said service configuration provides forwardlink transmission rates.
 6. The method of claim 2 , wherein said serviceconfiguration provides reverse link transmission rates.
 7. The method ofclaim 2 , wherein said service configuration provides a service option.8. The method of claim 2 , wherein said first communication device is amobile station and said second communication device is a base stationand said dedicated channel is a traffic channel.
 9. The method of claim2 , wherein said first communication device is a base station and saidsecond communication device is a mobile station and said dedicatedchannel is a traffic channel.
 10. A communication device in acommunication system having at least one dedicated channel which is notshared by communication devices in said communication system, thecommunication device comprising: a service negotiator for generating arequest message indicative of a proposed service configuration; amultiplexer, coupled to said service negotiator, for multiplexing saidrequest message with an information data signal to produce a multiplexedsignal allowing both the request message and the information data to betransmitted concurrently; and a transmitter, coupled to saidmultiplexer, for transmitting said multiplexed signal over saiddedicated channel.
 11. The communication device of claim 10 furthercomprising a receiver for receiving a response message indicative of aresponse to said proposed service configuration, and wherein saidservice negotiator is further for determining whether said responsemessage is indicative of a mutually acceptable service configuration.12. The communication device of claim 11 further comprising: an encoder,interposed between said multiplexer and said transmitter, for encodingan information data signal in accordance with a service configurationselected by said service negotiator; and a decoder, interposed betweensaid multiplexer and said receiver, for decoding a received signal inaccordance with said service configuration selected by said servicenegotiator.